Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

2012 BMW 3-series: The new features that matter

Those who covet the BMW 3-series probably don't need a lot of reason to buy a new one--other than that there's a fresh model for 2012. But after a splashy reveal on Friday in Munich, Bimmerphiles and mainstream consumers alike have reason to consider the 2012 BMW 3-series for both practical and enthusiast-oriented pursuits. Here's why: The sixth-generation BMW 3-series is fitted with a host of the latest technologies both underhood and underskin, which make the 3-series more relevant for the times yet true to its heritage.

Twingo Renaultsport 133 & Clio Renaultsport 200 ‘Silverstone GP’ Limited Editions launched

Renaultsport Twingo & Clio 'Silverstone GP' - just 50 of each available ‘Now what moniker can we hang on the back of a Renaultsport Twingo and Renaultsport Clio to get our British customers to part with their hard-earned?’, the man from Renault was heard to say. ‘I know’, he said, ‘Silverstone will be in the news next week – all shiny and new and quick. That’ll do – we’ve only got 50 of each with that left-over paint to flog.’ And so we get treated to a Limited Edition of just 50 cars each of the Twingo Renaultsport 133 ‘Silverstone GP’ Limited Edition and the  Clio Renaultsport 200 ‘Silverstone GP’ Limited Edition.

Grab a ‘VAT Free’ Skoda Octavia

In yet another ‘Sign of the times’ Skoda has announced that they are now offering ‘VAT Free Octavias’ until the end of the year. No, this is not a tie-up between Alistair Darling and VW, it’s just Skoda’s way of offering a headline price decrease of a bit over 13% (less expensive to Skoda than last week for the same headline, to be fair, and there is a new model due in January!). Grab a VAT free Skoda Octavia I’m pretty sure that there will be a raft of these ‘VAT Free’ offers floating around on everything from cars to washing machines, capitalising on the fact the VAT is in the headlines.